Chapter 12: The Promise

Page (1/3)

At nine o’clock in the evening, not returning home to participate in their child’s school enrollment matters, then later blaming others for not informing them—this drew sideways glances from the Star Police.
Ge Wei’s gaze was icy. “Xiaofeibi is your child. What he needs most is the care from his parents. We, as guides, serve the Star Alliance organization. The Star Alliance only requires us to look after his daily needs and monitor his mental health; it does not include taking care of you.”
Xiaofeibi’s face turned a deep purple.
He had taken pride in his child enrolling in the Star Alliance school, eagerly imagining attending the school with him, taking a few photos as proof to boast to neighbors and colleagues.
“It’s all your mother’s fault for not telling me.”
“Mr. Feibi, is Xiaofeibi still here to complete the enrollment procedures?” Ge Wei cut off Feibi’s nonsense.
He disliked procrastination; if Feibi kept causing trouble, he would not regret Xiaofeibi’s departure.
“Alright, alright, you Star Alliance are the greatest.” Feibi turned and left, standing by the roadside to hail a taxi. The taxi he had just ridden in was still there, as if it had anticipated his return.
Feibi looked around; the area was barren and desolate.
Other parents had arrived, hugged their children, and left in the same vehicles.
This was the outskirts; calling another taxi might take a long time.
He hesitated, then had no choice but to get back into the previous taxi, angrily kicking the front seat.
Xiaotu said, “Passenger, Xiaotu’s body is precious too. Could you be a bit gentler?”
Feibi tugged at his tie. “Drive, you little idiot. How dare a taxi act up with me.”
Xiaotu fell silent. It was just an intelligent system politely reminding the passenger to behave civilly.
The passenger was ungrateful and even cursed it.
Xing Yuan did not wait for Ge Wei and Xiaofeibi. He pulled his luggage forward and informed Su Ninglong that because she performed exceptionally well during testing, after enrollment she would need assessments by two psychological experts before attending classes normally.
He had only received this notice last night and hoped she wouldn’t feel pressured.
Su Ninglong firmly assured him, “Brother Yuan, you can trust me—I will pass without fail.”
Xing Yuan grew even more worried.
Zou Shuyi had warned him that whenever Su Ninglong made such solemn promises, she required extra attention.
Because once Su Ninglong committed, she would go to the extreme.
“Extreme” also implied perfectionism and intensity.

Page (2/3)

Xing Yuan said, “Just relax.”
“I will definitely do well.” The young prodigy was confident that such a small psychological test could not defeat her.
Su Ninglong wanted to quickly select her subjects. After Xing Yuan set down their luggage, she hurried him over to the school’s Information Department.
The Information Department was housed in a strangely styled building. From afar, it looked like several flat basins pieced together. If not for its worn exterior, it would exude a strong technological vibe.
“This building is already three hundred years old,” Xing Yuan explained. “It was originally a laboratory, but it’s too old now and no longer meets basic lab requirements. The school converted it into the mission building, which we also call the Information Department.”
Just as they opened the door, a small transport robot flew low and collided head-on with them.
Su Ninglong quickly retracted her foot; the robot brushed past her and bumped into Xing Yuan’s leg.
Xing Yuan: “...”
He understood why Su Ninglong could kill a starving captive so quickly—her reflexes were lightning fast.
“Sorry, little darling, I’m delivering something and must go now,” the robot said in an adorably childlike voice, then flew down a corridor.
Su Ninglong pointed at the robot and asked Xing Yuan, “I think this robot is great. How much does one cost? Can you buy me one?”
Xing Yuan asked, “Great? What’s so great about it?”
“Looks easy to take apart.”
The little robot silently boosted its power and quickly fled from the fearsome child.
Xing Yuan earnestly lectured, “Ninglong, robots solve many problems for humans. If you dismantle them, they lose their purpose.”
“I’ll put it back together.”
“Every time without success, right?”
Su Ninglong lowered her eyes, mainly because she wanted to reshape it through crafting. “Because they’re broken to begin with, putting them back together doesn’t help. I want a complete, good robot.”
“Let’s start by learning. Learning more can never be wrong.”
She kicked the ground, “Fine, after I learn, will you buy me one?”
“When you can complete missions, you can buy your own.”
“I remember you said I have to be at least twelve to do missions—eight years. How many eights are there in a lifetime?” Su Ninglong silently counted twice the years of her previous life. Even a nine-thousand-year-old ancestor had only a little over a thousand sets of eight years.
“Little smarty,” Xing Yuan ruffled her hair. “Do you really want one that badly?”

Page (3/3)

“Yeah, I want it. Even a small toy is fine, as long as it’s intact.”
Faced with Su Ninglong’s longing eyes, Xing Yuan found it hard to refuse. After a moment’s thought, he said, “If you get first place in all your yearly exams, I’ll buy you one.”
The young prodigy was confident. “If I’m not first, I won’t even feel right accepting a gift.”
“Pinkie swear,” Xing Yuan made the gesture with her. “This promise takes effect now—study hard.”
“Okay, okay.”
The academic consultation was on the first floor, where only two teachers sat—both of a certain age. Because courses could be chosen online, most students didn’t come here.
This place was a temporary consultation point for new students.
New students were only four or five years old and couldn’t be expected to seek out learning themselves. Guides rarely forced children to come, so the two teachers were quite idle.
“Xing Yuan?” One teacher spotted the familiar Xing Qi person and greeted him warmly. “Ha ha ha, I knew you’d be back at school soon.”
Xing Yuan brought Su Ninglong over. “This is the child I care for, Su Ninglong. She wants to study more subjects and learn about the main subjects for the coming school year.”
“Ninglong, this is Teacher Yang, who teaches secret spirits and natural creatures,” the teacher introduced. Yang had a big beard and a shiny bald head that seemed oiled and reflective.
Xing Yuan continued, “The other teacher is Miss Funi, who teaches interstellar history.”
Funi was a dwarf from the Qilan branch.
Qilan people were known for their good temperaments, small stature, and love of learning, with broad knowledge.
Funi wore thick glasses that looked odd on her small head, but she loved them and refused to undergo corrective surgery.
“My glasses are my lucky charm. I hope you won’t tease me about them.”
“Why would I tease them? They suit your temperament.”
Her hair looked as if it had just exploded, complemented by the thick glasses, which actually looked quite fashionable.
Funi blinked behind the lenses and said frankly, “I like you, you sweet little darling.”
“That’s right, I had honey cake for breakfast—it was very sweet.”
Xing Yuan looked up at the ceiling and remained silent—a polite gesture at that moment.